And the first new features start appearing in CVS...

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Now that 2.2.1 is out, the CVS TRUNK is open again
for new features. Chris has one of the first, and it sure looks nice. Three
new probing words have been added, and from these primitives it is possible to
build smarter and probing algorithms.

With only G38.2, each probing motion has to start at a Z coordinate that is
above the probed piece at every location, leading to most of the time being
spent in useless Z motion. Using the new G38.5 and G38.3, it's possible to
lift the probe just above the piece, then over towards the next probing
location.

The smartprobe.ngc program
could be further enhanced to have a local estimate of slope and even curvature,
further reducing the number and length of in-between probing steps for typical
surfaces.

Another trick: program G91 G38.3 Z.00001 F10 / G90 to store the current
location in parameter #506x. There are bound to be interesting uses for this
in O-word subroutines (e.g., to work relative to the initial point without
using G91 relative motions through the whole subroutine).

Fenn suggests that another nice probing program would use a waterline
(constant Z) to find contours on the object. This should also be possible
with the new probing primitives, and I hope somebody will contribute a script
to do it.
(originally posted on the AXIS blog)